Take Better Concert Photos Without Fancy Equipment

As you can tell from my pictures, I am not a photographer. Though I’m not looking to venture into photography, I would like to take better pictures for your viewing pleasure. So I took to Facebook and Instagram to get advice from my friends. I don’t want to bother with professional/SLR cameras because most venues won’t even let you bring those cameras in without a photography pass.

Here are some quick tips I pulled from my friends' comments:

• Only take pictures during the first three songs. Then put your camera or phone away and enjoy the show!
• Practice, practice, practice… Consider starting a picture-a-day project on the New Year’s day.
• Putting your phone on Airplane mode when you’re only using it to take pictures and video will save your battery life.
• Turn off your flash or you’ll ruin the Ryan Adams set for everyone. Seriously, no flash.
• Wait for either White/Blue stage light to come on to take the shot. You want the most light possible, and red light is very hard to photograph.
• Take as many as possible. You can always delete what you don't like.
• Hold as still as possible while you're taking the shot to reduce blur.
• If it looks good take the shot, if not then move around until it does.
• Get a set of lenses for your smartphone. I’m going to buy a set of Olloclip 3-in-1 Lens for iPhone 4 iPhone 4S for myself soon.
• Film a video and take frames from the videos to save as pictures using apps such as Video 2 Photo. Side note: if you want good audio and you are up close to the stage. Cover your phone's mic with your finger. That keeps the studio from sounding distorted.
• Use VSCOcam.
• Selfie sticks paired with a cheap little Bluetooth shutter button is great for good angles and getting up above the crowd. I may get a Extendable Selfie Stick with Bluetooth Remote by CamKix® - With Universal Phone Holder Suitable for iPhone, Samsung, and Other Devices up to 3.25 Inches in Width - Fully Adjustable Handheld Monopod 11" - 40" - Light, Compact, and Easy to Carry With You (Black with Remote).
• PS Express from the App Store helps you edit the photos after such as add more clarity, brighten when necessary, deal with blurriness, etc.

When using a Point and Shoot:

• A regular point and shoot that has a high burst shutter speed option, helps capture the right moment with nearly no blurring. Also gives you more chances of catching band members on engaging poses.
• Try settings and turn your ISO high (although past 2000 your picture is very pixelated).
• Keep the flash off.
• Put the strap around your neck. Pull on it as tight as it feels comfortable to make it, so you don't shake at all.

Just aim and hope for the best.

Thank you for your input sofustheband, hxerxest, bonnaroojack, Brian and Bryan of MusicFestivalNews.com, Matt of Bonnaroomors, Kayla of Roam Free Collective, Bonnaroo Chris, Nick of Festival Snobs, and Andrew Steele.